A refresher on all the ways you should be making yourself indispensable at work
1. Build on what you’re told.
Good employees do what they are told. Great employees add value by pushing projects along and anticipating their manager’s next step. During check-in meetings, let your manager know what you both had agreed upon and the extra effort you put in to advance your aspect of the project. When you demonstrate competence, your manager will likely give you more independence to run with projects.
2. Have a can-do attitude.
Managers look for professionals who not only produce exceptional results but also have a can-do attitude. The best way to strengthen your bond with your manager is to step up when he or she makes a request. Realistically, you may not be able to complete every request exactly as it is outlined, but you can demonstrate your commitment to your manager by bringing up an alternative plan of execution based on your time and resource constraints. If you find a way to reliably deliver results, especially in difficult situations, your manager will begin to view you as a go-to person.
3. Lighten your manager’s workload.
Volunteer to take projects off of your manager’s plate. During check-in meetings, ask about projects coming down the pipeline. If you hear about a project that fits your skill set, offer to get the ball rolling. Identify ways in which your skill set complements your manager’s skill set. If your manager hates doing a particular task and you are willing to take it on, she will want to keep you around for as long as possible. One note of caution: while it is OK to occasionally volunteer for administrative work to make your manager’s life easier, you should prioritize going after projects that demonstrate and grow your skill set.
4: Keep your manager updated on a timely basis and let them know of any bumps in the road.
Managers never like to be surprised. Make sure you routinely keep them updated on your work and be sure to give your manager a heads-up if there is a problem you have encountered so that it can be addressed at an early stage.
